Smart Thermostats - Nest the best?

pioneer2000 · 22 Nov 2019 at 09:13

Thinking about getting on board the smart heating train... is Nest the best choice nowadays?

I've heard that the top 3 are usually Nest / Tado / Hive.

Does Nest work with geolocation or is it purely on the motion sensor? Can it utilise hue motion sensors to increase it's accuracy, as I don't want it turning off if i'm sitting in the lounge etc for a long period of time.

Would be nice to have homekit compatibility but not a deal breaker as have Alexa also.

Also, is it best to buy them separately, as I need 2 (for zoning) and Amazon currently have them for £150 each

Thanks!

psd99 · 22 Nov 2019 at 09:17

nest is good but a real struggle to get it to turn off when you are away from home or turn on when you get back in. nuisance

SizEzE · 22 Nov 2019 at 09:48

I had a v2 Nest thermostat, and recently bought a v3 version when we moved, I have recently been having thoughts about the Evohome as the lack of zoning is becoming an issue.

fezster · 22 Nov 2019 at 09:52

I installed a hive recently. I didn't require the "smart learning" functionality, as I prefer to set my own schedule. It worked perfectly fine and was much better value than the nest.

However, I was extremely disappointed to find the display on it switches off after 5 seconds. All the marketing and literature shows the display illuminated, and it looks very nice. But you can't actually see it unless you press a button, which is incredibly annoying. I like to look at the temperature, and whether the heating is on, when I walk past the thermostat. They have no plans to change it either, citing battery life as the issue.

I've now gone over to a nest 3rd gen instead, which is hardwired for power, and has a sensor which switches it on when you are near it.

Also keep in mind that in a dual zone setup, the nest cannot be used with opentherm (if your boiler supports that).

Bug One · 22 Nov 2019 at 09:54

I got a Next v3. I don't know if 'works better' than the others - but it looks good and feels like a quality bit of kit.

panthro · 22 Nov 2019 at 11:19

I like my Nest; I'd pick it over all the other smart thermostats but as I only have 1 zone in my house, the lack of compatible smart TRV's is grating on me now.

V_R · 22 Nov 2019 at 11:41

Another Nest V3 owner here, happy with it.

Kemik · 22 Nov 2019 at 13:12

Look at Tado. Had it for years and works perfectly. Cheaper than Nest and works with UK wiring as default.

Vidar · 22 Nov 2019 at 13:26

I'm also tempted to pick one of these up to help save on heating. Anyone know if its compatible with my Worcester Greenstar I boiler? Am I right in thinking it just gets installed where my old thermostat is and that's it? Don't need Alexa or anything else?

V_R · 22 Nov 2019 at 13:43

Yes.

Yes, it replaces the old stat, you need to have the heat link installed next to the boiler.

No Alexa/Google isn't needed but will work should you want it.

V_R · 22 Nov 2019 at 13:45

psd99 said:
nest is good but a real struggle to get it to turn off when you are away from home or turn on when you get back in. nuisance

Mine goes into Eco fine when we leave each morning.

Vidar · 22 Nov 2019 at 13:56

V_R said:
Yes.

Yes, it replaces the old stat, you need to have the heat link installed next to the boiler.

No Alexa/Google isn't needed but will work
should you want it.

Thanks, is the heatlink a separate purchase? Installation expensive or easy to do myself?

Martynt74 · 22 Nov 2019 at 14:01

panthro said:
I like my Nest; I'd pick it over all the other smart thermostats but as I only have 1 zone in my house, the lack of compatible smart TRV's is grating on me now.

That pretty much mirrors my experience too.

V_R · 22 Nov 2019 at 14:29

Vidar said:
Thanks, is the heatlink a separate purchase? Installation expensive or easy to do myself?

Heatlink is included. I found a pro off the nest site but depending on your confidence etc it could be done yourself.

thenewoc · 22 Nov 2019 at 16:16

Nest v2 here as it was free with our recently purchased boiler. Am a bit skeptical as to whether smart TRV's would actually make much difference since the heating system is firing up each time a thermostat triggers it so I'd be surprised if it were worth while unless it was a forever house to justify the cost of 13 smart TRV's in our case.

Vidar · 22 Nov 2019 at 16:19

Smart TRV's are what you put on the radiators right to control which room gets heated?

thenewoc · 22 Nov 2019 at 16:22

Vidar said:
Smart TRV's are what you put on the radiators right to control which room gets heated?

Yep, smart radiator valves.

Vidar · 22 Nov 2019 at 16:23

Can see this getting pricey lol

thenewoc · 22 Nov 2019 at 16:30

Vidar said:
Can see this getting pricey lol

I don't think people really need them, they're a nice to have but I would guess it would take some years for them to pay for themselves vs balancing the rads with normal TRV's and just the nest or similar smart thermostat placed in the lounge.

Simon · 22 Nov 2019 at 18:34

Can get the hive TRVs for £20 each with BG. Are they any good?